Daily Current Capsules – 25th February 2020
Human Resource Development
Chatra Vishwakarma Awards 2019
Relevance IN – Prelims ( about Chatra Vishwakarma awards and its objective)
+ Mains ( GS II Issues relating to development and management of Social
Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
What’s the NEWS
AICTE has been organizing Vishwakarma Awards since the year 2017.
The awards have been instituted for promoting innovative spirit and
scientific temperament for holistic development of society through the
stakeholders of its approved institutes.
The Awards are aimed at motivating young individuals, inspiring leaders
and institutions/ organizations to raise their performance in their specific
domains leading to significant contribution towards the growth and
development of the Nation as a whole.
The competition/ call for entries for the third edition of Vishwakarma
Award for the year 2019 were earlier announced by HRD Minister on 11
Sep 2019 and was based on the theme of “How to enhance the income
of Village”
Indian Society of Technical Education (ISTE) and Atal Innovation
Mission of NITI Ayog also agreed to collaborate with AICTE for the
Vishwakarma Awards 2019.
Applications were called in 02 categories:
a. Category-I : Chhatra Vishwakarma Awards (CVA)
for Outstanding Innovative Team (for Students & Mentor).
b. Category-II : Utkrisht Sansthan Vishwakarma Award (USVA)
for exemplary Institutional intervention.
NITI Ayog has agreed to support the shortlisted students by bringing their
ideas into reality by supporting them through their pre-incubation centres
of ATAL Community Innovation centre (ACIC).
AICTE &MHRD’s Innovation Cell has also announced to provide
financial assistance to a few of the best teams of Chhatra Vishwakarma
Awards after following the due process of evaluation.
In addition to this, IIT Delhi has also agreed to support the best technical
interventions of Vishwakarma Awards through their Unnat Bharat
Abhiyaan (UBA) program by providing financial support to the
institution for implementing their ideas in the village.
Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
1st Anniversary of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Relevance IN – Prelims ( about PM-KISAN) + Mains ( GS II Government
policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising
out of their design and implementation.
Know! all about PM-KISAN
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a Central Sector
scheme with 100% funding from Government of India.
The Scheme is effective from 1.12.2018.
Under the Scheme an income support of Rs.6000/- per year is provided to
all farmer families across the country in three equal installments of
Rs.2000/- each every four months.
Definition of family for the Scheme is husband, wife and minor children.
The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families
rests with the State / UT Governments.
The fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
Farmers covered under the Exclusion Criteria of the Operational
Guidelines are not eligible for the benefit of the Scheme.
For enrollment, the farmer is required to approach the local patwari /
revenue officer / Nodal Officer (PM-Kisan) nominated by the State
Government.
The Common Service Centres (CSCs) have also been authorized to do
registration of the farmers for the Scheme upon payment of fees.
Farmers can also do their self-registration through the Farmers Corner in
the portal.
Farmers can also edit their names in PM-Kisan database as per their
Aadhaar database / card through the Farmers Corner in the portal.
Farmers can also know the status of their payment through the Farmers
Corner in the portal.
Prelims Factoids
MCA inaugurates SPICe+ web form
Relevance IN – Prelims ( about SPICe+ app)
What’s the NEWS
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MCA) inaugurated the ‘SPICe+’ Web
Form
As part of Government of India’s Ease of Doing Business (EODB)
initiatives, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has notified a new Web
Form christened ‘SPICe+’ (pronounced ‘SPICe Plus’) replacing the
existing SPICe form. SPICe+ would offer 10 services by 3 Central Govt
Ministries & Departments (Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of
Labour & Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance) and One
State Government (Maharashtra), thereby saving as many procedures,
time and cost for Starting a Business in India and would be applicable for
all new company incorporations.
Following are the features of the new Spice+ web form:
SPICe+ would be an integrated Web Form.
SPICe+ would have two parts viz.: Part A-for Name reservation for new
companies and Part B offering a bouquet of services viz.
Incorporation
DIN allotment
Mandatory issue of PAN
Mandatory issue of TAN
Mandatory issue of EPFO registration
Mandatory issue of ESIC registration
Mandatory issue of Profession Tax registration(Maharashtra)
Mandatory Opening of Bank Account for the Company and
Allotment of GSTIN (if so applied for)
More about SPICE+
Registration for EPFO and ESIC shall be mandatory for all new
companies to be incorporated through SPICe+ and no EPFO & ESIC
registration nos. shall be separately issued by the respective agencies.
Registration for Profession Tax shall also be mandatory for all new
companies to be incorporated in the State of Maharashtra
through SPICe+.
All new companies incorporated through SPICe+ would also be
mandatorily required to apply for opening the company’s Bank account
through the AGILE-PRO linked web form.
Infrastructure Development
‘Har Kaam Desh Ke Naam’: Corporates joins Ganga Rejuvenation effort
Relevance IN – Prelims ( about Har kaam desh ke naam initiative + about the tripartite
MoU) + Mains ( GS II Government policies and interventions for development in
various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
What’s the NEWS
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between
the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), State Program
Management Group-Uttarakhand (SPMG-UK) and Indorama Charitable
Trust (ICT) to work together for renovation/ development of the Ghat at
Badrinath and Ghats and Crematoria at Gangotri in Uttarakhandat a total
cost of 26.64 Crore.
Gangotri and Badrinath being part of the Char DhamYatra, are especially
important.
This MoU is a significant step for improving amenities and sanitation at
these holy locations with the underlying spirit of partnership and of
private corporates taking responsibility by contributing to the National
Mission: Rejuvenation of the sacred river Ganga.
This project is being taken up under the Government initiative of
‘HarKaamDeshKeNaam’.
The Minister lauded the Indorama Group for financing the project and
hoped this will inspire other entrepreneurs as part of their companies’
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
For the first time the novel Operation and Maintenance Clause has been
inserted, which will take care of the project’s upkeep over a period of time.
The activities under the project include:
Construction of Bathing Ghats and Crematoria
Repair and modernization of existing Ghats and Crematoria
Providing public amenities on Ghats
Bank erosion protection works
Operation & Maintenance (O&M) for 5 years
Badrinath Bathing Ghat
Badrinath Bathing Ghat is situated along the bank of river Alaknanda.
Through local consultation, the sites of Ghat was identified.
Gangotri Bathing Ghat and Crematoria
GangotriGhat is situated along the bank of river Bhagirathi at Gangotri.
One bathing ghat and one crematoria to be developed at Gangotri.
Prelims Factoids
Online Chatbot ‘ASKDISHA’
Relevance IN – Prelims ( about Online chatbox ASKDISHA)
What’s the NEWS
In order to resolve queries of railway passengers over the internet
pertaining to various services offered, Indian Railways had introduced the
services of Artificial Intelligence based ASKDISHA chatbot in October
2018 for the benefit of the users of the ticketing website www.irctc.co.in
and tourism website www.irctctourism.com of its PSU, Indian Railways
Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC).
Know! more about ASKDISHA
The ASKDISHA Chatbot was initially launched in English language but
in order to further enhance the customer services rendered and to further
strengthen the services of the chatbot, IRCTC has now powered voice
enabled ASKDISHA to converse with customers in Hindi language also in
the e-ticketing site www.irctc.co.in. The customers can now ask queries to
ASKDISHA in Hindi language by voice as well as text.
The chatbot is a special computer programme designed to simulate
conversation with users, especially over the internet.
The first-of-its-kind initiative by IRCTC is aimed at facilitating
accessibility by answering users’ queries pertaining to various services
offered to railway passengers.
Since its initial launch, more than 150 million passengers have been
benefited by ASKDISHA with 10 billion interactions for seeking help on
reservation of tickets, cancellation, enquiry of refund status, fare, PNR
search, train running status, enquiry about retiring rooms and tourism
products.
Government Schemes
Cabinet approves Revamping of "Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)" and "Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)"
Relevance IN – Prelims ( about PMFBY and RWBCIS changes) + Mains ( GS II
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
What’s the NEWS
The Union Cabinet, has approved revamping of "Pradhan Mantri Fasal
Bima Yojana (PMFBY)" and "Restructured Weather Based Crop
Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)" to address the existing challenges in
implementation of Crop Insurance Schemes.
It is proposed to modify certain parameters/provisions of ongoing schemes of
PMFBY and RWBCIS as under:
a. Allocation of business to Insurance Companies to be done for three years
(Both PMFBY/RWBCIS). b. Central Subsidy under PMFBY/RWBCIS to be limited for premium rates
upto 30% for unirrigated areas/crops and 25% for irrigated areas/crops. c. Districts having 50% or more irrigated area will be considered as irrigated
area/district (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS). d. For estimation of crop losses/admissible claims, two-Step Process to be
adopted based on defined Deviation matrix e. Technology solutions like Smart Sampling Technique (SST) and
optimization of number of CCEs to be adopted in conducting CCEs
(PMFBY). f. Enrolment under the Scheme to be made voluntary for all farmers (Both
PMFBY/RWBCIS).
j. Central Share in Premium Subsidy to be increased to 90% for North
Eastern States from the existing sharing pattern of 50:50 (Both
PMFBY/RWBCIS). k. Provisioning of at least 3% of the total allocation for the Scheme to be
made by Government of India and Implementing State Governments for
administrative expenses. This shall be subject to an upper cap fixed by
DAC&FW for each State (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS).
Benefits
With these changes it is expected that farmers would be able to manage
risk in agriculture production in a better way and will succeed in Stabilizing
the farm income.
Further, it will increase coverage in north eastern region enabling farmers
of NER to manage their agricultural risk in a better way. These changes
will also enable quick and accurate yield estimation leading to faster claims
settlement.
These changes are proposed to be implemented from Kharif’ 2020 Season
throughout the Country.
Cabinet Decision
Cabinet approves Elevation of BISAG as BISAG(N) under MEITY, Government of India
Relevance IN – Prelims ( about BISAG (N) + Mains ( GS II Centre-State
relations + GS III awareness in the field of space)
What’s the NEWS
The Union Cabinet has approved Elevation of Bhaskaracharya Institute of
Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG), Gujarat as
Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-
informatics (BISAG(N)) under Ministry of Electronics & Information
Technology (MEITY), Government of India.
Know! the Benefits
To maintain efficiency and innovation of services, the current skilled
manpower working at BISAG may join the national level institute on as-
is and where-is basis.
To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities aid research
& development and technology development.
Know! all about BISAG
At present, BISAG is a state agency of Department of Science and
Technology Government of Gujarat, located at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
It is registered as a Society and Trust with the Charity Commissioner of
Ahmedabad.
Its Governing body is chaired by the Chief Secretary, Government of
Gujarat.
Its charter is based on the philosophy that modern day planning for a
holistic development calls for transparent, efficient and low-cost
decision-making systems.
This involves multi-disciplinary information that encourages people’s
participation and ensures equitable development.
The application of space technologies (especially the space based remote
sensing technology), satellite communication and geo-informatics has
contributed significantly towards the socio-economic development.
Elevation of BISAG
This is not a new organisation but only an elevation of existing body
which will be an Autonomous Scientific Society under Government of
India instead of State Government
The elevation of BISAG has been done to maintain efficiency and
innovation of services, facilitate implementation of expanded scope of
activities, efficient rollout of GIS projects and facilitate aid, research and
development at the institute, according to the statement.
Tribal Affairs
16th foundation of day of NCST Relevance IN – Prelims ( about NCST and its objective) + Mains ( GS II
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and
States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions
and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable
sections.)
What’s the NEWS
The celebration for the 16th Foundation of Day of National Commission for
Scheduled Tribes (NCST)”organised by National Commission for
Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
Know! all about NCST
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was set up with
effect from 19th February, 2004 by amending Article 338 and by inserting a
new article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution
(89th Amendment Act, 2003 which inter-alia enjoins upon the Commission
to oversee the implementation of various safeguards provided to
Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution or under any other law for time
being in force or under any other order to the Govt. and to evaluate the
working of such safeguards.
Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee created a separate
Ministry of Tribal Affairs in year 1999 and later on separate National
Commission for Scheduled Tribes was created on 19th February, 2004.
The Commission comprise a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and three full
time members (including one lady member).
The term of office Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Members of NCST is
three years from the date of assumption of charge.
The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Ministries, the
Vice Chairperson have the rank of a Minister of State and other Members
have the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India.
Constitution of India under Clause (5) of Article 338A has assigned the following
duties and functions to the Commission:
1. To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for
the Schedule Tribes under the Constitution or under any other law for the time
being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the
working of such safeguards.
2. To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and
safeguards of the Scheduled Tribes.
3. To participate and advice in the planning process of socio-economic
development of the Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the progress of their
development under the Union and any State.
4. To present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission
may deem fit, report upon the working of those safeguards.
5. To make in such reports, recommendations as to the measures that should be
taken by the Union or any State for effective implementation of those
safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic
development of the Scheduled Tribes.
6. To discharge such other function in relation to the protection, welfare and
development and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes as the President may
subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament by rule specify.
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